Toronto Maple Leafs Top Prospect Semyon Der-Arguchintsev is Headed to Russia on Loan to start his 2020-21 season.
It was announced by the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday that Der-Arguchintsev (commonly referred to as SDA) would be loaned to Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod of the KHL for his 2020-21 season.
SDA, a 5’11” winger of Moscow, Russia has spent his past four seasons here in North America with the Peterborough Petes of the OHL as well as the Newfoundland Growlers, the Maple Leafs ECHL affiliate.
SDA was brought over to the Petes from Russia in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection Draft where he went 27th overall. In his first year on North American ice, the Russian winger tallied 29 points in 63 games. His totals rose in his second year notching 51 points in 68 games. That was good enough for SDA to be selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 3rd round, 76th overall of the 2018 NHL Draft.
Toronto Maple Leafs and Der-Arguchintsev
Following his draft year, SDA struggled with scoring while only notching 46 points in 62 games, down 5 points from his previous year. He would finish off that season in the ECHL with the Growlers assisting them in capturing the ECHL Championship, the Kelly Cup.
His most recent season was also spent with the Petes where SDA had the opportunity to play with a fellow Toronto Maple Leafs top prospect Nicholas Robertson. SDA had a great season with 63 assists and 75 points in 55 games assisted teammate Robertson capture the OHL goal title.SDA’s 63 assists were good enough for third league-wide only behind top Prospects Marco Rossie and Cole Perfetti. (stats from hockeydb.com).
It’s safe to say that the playmaking winger would have been set to join the Marlies this year if things were close to normal, but due to circumstances, SDA will join Torpedo of the KHL. Torpedo is currently sitting 6th in the Tarasov division with a record of 8-8-2-1.
Surely SDA’s playmaking ability and young speed will come as a breath of fresh air to the struggling Russian club. Hopefully, this time in the KHL will further SDA’s development, and as soon as possible we will see him back on North American ice where he can continue to make saucy dishes to fellow teammate Robertson.
As far as his future with the Toronto Maple Leafs is concerned, SDA can best be described as “a project.” He has NHL skill and a very high ceiling, but isn’t a safe bet to become an NHL regular. He is an excellent prospect, and if he lives up to his potential will be an excellent NHL player.